Chapter 40

  The gate was larger than those at Norvil, the patrols neatly dressed and vigilant, unlike the drunks at home.

  River pulled his last tunic from his spatial bag and slipped it on, knowing he would not be welcomed looking as he had.

  He stood in line, waiting to be inspected.

  Both guards were large men, their blue-and-red uniforms distinct. They looked strong and much taller than River, even taller than Albert. In fact, everyone seemed taller than normal.

  It was his turn. The guards looked him over. Their expressions changed when they saw his clothes.

  “What affinity? Your essence is thick.” The words hit like a brick.

  “Uh... fire.”

  The second guard spoke the questions coming faster than River could process. “Military or adventurer?”

  He didn’t know what that entailed, and yet he knew he had to pick one.

  “What?”

  They shared a glance, as if it were the first time someone had asked that question.

  “All the children of war with access to magic must serve, either in the military or the guild. Where are you from, kid?” River reached for the name of the first city he had encountered. Brybur or Drybur. “Brybur.”

  The first man’s green eyes showed confusion, but he let it go as the other guard motioned him through.

  One of them yelled as he moved farther into the city, “Go to the town hall, you will need identification.”

  He could hear them as he entered: “Do you know where Brybur is?”

  “Hell no, but he’s just some country hick. Don’t worry so much.”

  The city was a marvel; the outside cold barely touched his skin, and torches and runes kept the snow from landing before it melted and vanished. The gray stone was newly polished; sewage and vomit didn’t run in the streets. Even though the air smelled clean inside the walls, it felt strange.

  But for now, he needed to focus; the hum of ancient magic filled him. Somewhere here was a primordial, and he needed to find them. He let the feeling guide him, his body moving on instinct.

  Before he knew it, River stood in front a large wooden building, at least thirty feet high, its sloped roof elegantly carved while banners hung from the top.

  River sighed as he pushed against the doors; they opened more easily than expected.

  As soon as he entered, his senses were bombarded. The presence of so much essence assaulted him; he couldn’t locate anything. It was like staring at the sun. For a moment, he froze, until Calira spoke in his mind, “You look fucking stupid; people are looking.”

  He blinked and threaded through the crowds. He made his way to the counter at the far end. “Excuse me, I’ve been told I need to sign up.”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  A young woman smiled. “New adventurer. Good. By signing, you accept the guild levy and are subject to our laws.” She turned the slate around. “Thumb here.”

  He set his thumb to it; ink bloomed as he neared. With a light press, he lifted it, and she slid the slab back. “Good.”

  “You now have access to the guild facilities, and you’ll be assigned a mentor for the Tower. His name is Krat, he’s out now and should be back in a few days. For now, we need you to show us what you can do.” She placed six crystals on the counter. “Hold out your hand and channel.”

  River focused only on fire. With a whoosh, the red crystal flew into his hand with such force he almost staggered. She eyed him, curious. “Well, that’s a strong one you’ve got there.”

  A few questions followed:

  Name? Age? City of birth?

  River. Eighteen. Brybur.

  She looked down at the table, a sheet of metal before her, and engraved something onto it. Within a few minutes, she passed it to him.

  It read:

  RIVER – 17 – MALE

  AFFINITY – FIRE – STRONG

  RANK – E

  TOWER LEVEL – 0

  As he scanned it again, the clerk spoke: “Bring us materials; we sell them for you. Your cut is 80%. The last 20% covers house and board. Your rank increases with Tower Level”

  He nodded and headed for one of the benches that filled the room. He wanted to try something.

  He drew a small metal plate from his spatial ring—the A Primordial locator plate. When he rubbed it between his fingers, it shrieked. River had been ready for it, yet he still had to fight his instincts: the urge to let go, to cover his ears. He held firm. His gaze locked on her, a woman at least seven feet tall, clad in thick steel armor, a scar running down one cheek. For a second, she clutched at her ears before letting go.

  Only they had heard it; he knew what that meant. She was a primordial, his first general in the fight to come.

  He slipped the locator back into his ring and turned to a boy beside him. “Who is that?” He pointed at the woman.

  “If you don’t know, you really are new. That’s Lilly, the strongest of War’s children. She’s on the team that’s made it furthest in the Dungeon Tower. Her team is currently on tower floor 73.”

  “Wow.” River didn’t know what it was, but it sure as hell sounded impressive.

  River stood and walked toward her, ready to speak. But that wasn’t how it would go.

  She glanced at him and turned away as he approached. Her voice surprised him—posh and polite despite the battered warrior exterior. “I don’t speak to your kind. Weakness isn’t allowed in my circle. It’s contagious.” Lilly said flatly.

  The words stung. “But—I have something—” He didn’t finish before she vanished from sight. He’d need another plan.

  He knew what he had to do; his next mission was here. He wouldn’t give up. Strength was respect, and he would earn it.

  He would need to clear the tower and prove himself. His mind reached out for Sylas, not expecting anything. Why couldn’t it have been easy? As expected, no words came. Only silence held.